Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Results

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2020:

Consolidated

• Total revenue increased 8.8% to $66.0 million from $60.6 million;
• Total operating expenses decreased 10.2% to $50.2 million from $55.9 million;
• Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, debt modification costs, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 8.1% to $55.2 million from $51.0 million;
• Operating income increased 232.5% to $15.8 million from $4.8 million;
• Net income increased 6,615.5% to $22.1 million, or $0.81 net income per diluted share from $0.3 million, or $0.01 net income per diluted share;
• EBITDA (1) increased 268.8% to $30.2 million from $8.2 million;
• Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 12.5% to $10.8 million from $9.6 million; and
• Net cash provided by operating activities increased 8.8% to $4.5 million from $4.2 million.

Broadcast

• Net broadcast revenue increased 9.3% to $49.6 million from $45.4 million;
• Station Operating Income (“SOI”) (1) increased 9.2% to $12.1 million from $11.1 million;
• Same Station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 8.9% to $49.1 million from $45.1 million; and
• Same Station SOI (1) increased 5.5% to $12.0 million from $11.4 million.

Digital Media

• Digital media revenue increased 8.5% to $10.6 million from $9.8 million; and
• Digital Media Operating Income (1) decreased 10.8% to $2.4 million from $2.7 million.

Publishing

• Publishing revenue increased 5.6% to $5.7 million from $5.4 million; and
• Publishing Operating Income (1) was $0.5 million to compared to an operating loss of $0.4 million.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 are:

• A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt medication costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
• A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relates to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, and $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets as well as various other fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 are:

• A $1.4 million ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) net loss on the disposition of assets which includes a $1.4 million estimated pre-tax loss for the write-off of Miami assets as a result of the company’s plan to exit the market and reflects various fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,280,949 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, and 26,791,353 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Year to Date 2021 Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

Consolidated

• Total revenue increased 10.1% to $189.1 million from $171.8 million;
• Total operating expenses decreased 12.1% to $163.3 million from $185.9 million;
• Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, debt modification costs, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 3.7% to $161.6 million from $155.9 million;
• The company had operating income of $25.8 million compared to an operating loss of $14.1 million;
• The company generated net income of $24.7 million, or $0.91 net income per diluted share compared to a net loss of $57.4 million, or $2.15 net loss per share;
• EBITDA (1) was $46.7 million as compared to a loss of $3.5 million;
• Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 73.4% to $27.5 million from $15.9 million; and
• Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 36.3% to $14.7 million from $23.1 million.

Broadcast

• Net broadcast revenue increased 8.0% to $140.4 million from $130.0 million;
• SOI (1) increased 32.0% to $33.5 million from $25.3 million;
• Same station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 8.1% to $139.5 million from $129.0 million; and
• Same station SOI (1) increased 27.4% to $33.5 million from $26.3 million.

Digital media

• Digital media revenue increased 7.9% to $30.6 million from $28.4 million; and
• Digital media operating income (1) increased 1.7% to $5.3 million from $5.2 million.

Publishing

• Publishing revenue increased 35.4% to $18.1 million from $13.4 million; and
• Publishing Operating Income (1) was $1.2 million compared to an operating loss of $3.1 million.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are:

• A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt medication costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
• A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relating to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, a $0.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Singing News Magazine and Singing News Radio and a $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets offset by $0.4 million additional loss recorded at closing on the sale of radio station WKAT-AM and FM translator in Miami, Florida and various fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.2 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are:

• A $1.5 million ($1.1 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) net loss on the disposition of assets which includes a $1.4 million estimated pre-tax loss for the write-off of Miami assets as a result of the company’s plan to exit the market and reflects various fixed asset disposals;
• A $17.3 million impairment charge ($12.8 million, net of tax, or $0.48 per share), of which $0.3 million related to impairment of mastheads, and the remainder to broadcast licenses due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
• A $0.3 million impairment charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the company’s goodwill; and
• A $0.3 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options primarily consisting of:
  • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in corporate expenses; and
  • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in broadcast operating expenses; and
  • the remaining $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in digital media and publishing operating expenses.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,217,382 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 26,683,363 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Balance Sheet

On September 10, 2021, the company exchanged $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes for $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of newly issued 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (“2028 Notes.”) Contemporaneously with the refinancing, the company obtained commitments from the holders of the 2028 Notes to purchase up to $50 million in additional 2028 Notes (“Delayed Draw 2028 Notes,”) contingent upon satisfying certain performance benchmarks, the proceeds of which are to be used exclusively to repurchase or repay the remaining balance outstanding of the 2024 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 470. The company incurred debt issuance costs of $4.2 million, of which $2.3 million of third-party debt modification costs are reflected in operating expenses for the current period, $0.8 million is deferred with the Delayed Draw 2028 Notes, and $1.1 million, along with $3.0 million from the exchanged 2024 Notes, is being amortized as part of the effective yield on the 2028 Notes.

The company received $11.2 million in aggregate principal amount of PPP loans through the SBA during the first quarter of 2021 based on the eligibility of our radio stations and networks as determined on a per-location basis. The PPP loans were accounted for as debt in accordance with ASC 470. The loan balances and accrued interest were forgivable provided that the proceeds were used for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities within the covered period. The company used the PPP loan proceeds according to the terms and filed timely applications for forgiveness. During July 2021, the SBA forgave all but $20,000 of the PPP loans resulting in a pre-tax gain on the forgiveness of $11.2 million. The remaining PPP loan was repaid in July 2021.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following transactions were completed since July 1, 2021:

• On July 27, 2021, the company sold the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets for $0.2 million to be collected in quarterly installments over the two-year period ending September 30, 2023.
• On July 23, 2021, the company sold approximately 34 acres of land in Lewisville, Texas, currently being used as the transmitter site for Company owned radio station KSKY-AM, for $12.1 million in cash. The company will retain enough of the property in the southwest corner of the site to operate the station.
• On July 2, 2021, the company acquired SeniorResource.com for $0.1 million of cash.
• On July 1, 2021, the company acquired the ShiftWorship.com domain and digital assets for $2.6 million of cash.

Pending transactions:

• On August 31, 2021, the company entered an agreement to sell approximately 77 acres of land in Tampa, Florida for $13.5 million. The company will move the transmitter for WTBN-AM and diplex it at its owned and operated WGUL-AM facility. The company expects to close on this transaction by the end of the year.
• On August 23, 2021, the company entered an agreement to sell just over nine acres of land in the Denver area for $8.2 million. The company expects to close this sale early in 2022 and plans to continue broadcasting both KRKS-AM and KBJD-AM from this site.
• On June 2, 2021, the company entered into an agreement to acquire radio station KKOL-AM in Seattle, Washington for $0.5 million. The company paid $0.1 million of cash into an escrow account and began operating the station under a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) on June 7, 2021.
• On February 5, 2020, we entered into an agreement with Word Broadcasting to sell radio stations WFIA-AM, WFIA-FM and WGTK-AM in Louisville, Kentucky for $4.0 million with credits applied from amounts previously paid, including a portion of the monthly fees paid under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”). Due to changes in debt markets, the transaction was not funded, and it is uncertain when, or if, the transaction will close. Word Broadcasting continues to program the stations under a TBA that began in January 2017.

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on November 4, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (877) 524-8416, and then ask to be joined into the Salem Media Group Third Quarter 2021 call or listen via the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available through November 18, 2021 and can be heard by dialing (877) 660-6853, passcode 13722694 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com.

Follow us on Twitter @SalemMediaGrp.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2021, the company is projecting total revenue to be between flat and an increase of 2% from fourth quarter 2020 total revenue of $64.5 million. Excluding the impact of $3.5 million in political revenue in fourth quarter of 2020, we are projecting revenue to increase between 6% and 8%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, we are projecting revenue to be between flat and an increase of 2%. The company is also projecting operating expenses before gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to increase between 1% and 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 non-GAAP operating expenses of $54.6 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, we are projecting expenses to also increase between 1% and 4%.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis due to the potential high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the charges excluded from this non-GAAP financial measure, in particular, the change in the estimated fair value of earn-out consideration, impairments and gains or losses from the disposition of fixed assets. The company expects the variability of the above charges may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on its future GAAP financial results.

About Salem Media Group, Inc.

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc., at www.salemmedia.com, Facebook and Twitter (@SalemMediaGrp).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, prospects or performance are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the ability of Salem to close and integrate announced transactions, market acceptance of Salem’s radio station formats, competition from new technologies, adverse economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Salem's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Salem undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed circumstances or unanticipated events.

(1) Regulation G

Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures defined below in communications with investors, analysts, rating agencies, banks and others to assist such parties in understanding the impact of various items on its financial statements. The company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial results, develop budgets, manage expenditures and as a measure of performance under compensation programs.

The company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable financial measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Regulation G defines and prescribes the conditions under which certain non-GAAP financial information may be presented in this earnings release. The company closely monitors EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Station Operating Income (“SOI”), Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses, Same Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), and operating expenses excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation and amortization, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its core operating results, and thus, are appropriate to enhance the overall understanding of its financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide management and investors a more complete understanding of its underlying operational results, trends and performance.

The company defines Station Operating Income (“SOI”) as net broadcast revenue minus broadcast operating expenses. The company defines Digital Media Operating Income as net Digital Media Revenue minus Digital Media Operating Expenses. The company defines Publishing Operating Income (Loss) as net Publishing Revenue minus Publishing Operating Expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before gains or losses on the disposition of assets, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before gain on bargain purchase, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt and before non-cash compensation expense. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasters. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to its results of operations and financial condition presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definitions of SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The company defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, and less cash paid for interest. The company considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by its operations after cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for income taxes and cash paid for interest. A limitation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in its cash balance for the period. The company uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The company’s presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The company defines Same Station net broadcast revenue as broadcast revenue from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station SOI as Same Station net broadcast revenue less Same Station broadcast operating expenses. Same Station operating results include those stations that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station operating results for a full calendar year are calculated as the sum of the Same Station-results for each of the four quarters of that year. The company uses Same Station operating results, a non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluations and management of the business. The company believes that Same Station operating results provide a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of its core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations the company no longer owns or operates, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. The company’s presentation of Same Station operating results are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Same Station operating results is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

For all non-GAAP financial measures, investors should consider the limitations associated with these metrics, including the potential lack of comparability of these measures from one company to another.

The Supplemental Information tables that follow the condensed consolidated financial statements provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures that the company uses in this earnings release to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The company uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance, develop budgets, manage expenditures, and determine employee compensation. The company’s presentation of this additional information is not to be considered as a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

The company defines EBITDA (1) as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The table below presents a reconciliation of EBITDA (1) to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure. EBITDA (1) is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA (1) as EBITDA (1) before gains or losses on the disposition of assets, before debt modification costs, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt, before gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans, and before non-cash compensation expense. The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (1) to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA (1) is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

The company defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1) as Adjusted EBITDA (1) less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, and less cash paid for interest. The company considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by its operations after cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for income taxes and cash paid for interest. A limitation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in its cash balance for the period. The company uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The company’s presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.